New Delhi: Responding to a question in Parliament on India’s declining press freedom rankings and rising cases of violence against journalists, the Union government said that the country has a “vibrant press and media ecosystem” that does not require validation from international organizations.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Kumar Jha had asked the Information and Broadcasting Ministry in the Rajya Sabha whether the government had reviewed the fall in India’s global press freedom rankings and the reported increase in intimidation, legal harassment, and attacks on journalists. He also sought details on steps taken to strengthen institutions like the Press Council of India (PCI) and ensure that journalists can work without political interference or fear.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs L. Murugan, in his reply, did not directly address Jha’s queries but pointed instead to India’s existing legal framework and media landscape.
“India has a vibrant press and media ecosystem, which does not need validation from foreign organizations. India has about 1,54,000 printed publications, more than 900 private satellite TV channels and numerous publishers on digital media including OTT platforms, e-replica of newspapers, digital newspapers, news websites and news channels on social media platforms etc. India has constitutional guarantees like Article 19 (1)(a), which protects freedom of speech and expression,” Murugan said.
The government’s response highlighted that the PCI, a statutory autonomous body headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, adjudicates complaints on curtailment of press freedom and attacks on journalists. It added that under Regulation 13 of the PCI’s Procedure for Inquiry Regulations, 1979, the council can also take suo motu cognizance of issues concerning press freedom.
It further noted that press freedom in electronic and digital media is safeguarded through self-regulatory mechanisms under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, and the IT Rules, 2021. A three-tier structure exists to address complaints, beginning at the broadcaster or publisher level, followed by self-regulatory bodies, and finally, oversight by the government.
Reacting to the reply, Jha posted on X: “I had asked this question in the Rajya Sabha recently and the ‘response’ can be seen here. A distance of miles and miles between what MY Govt says and what it does.”